Detailed Reviews [Sunrunner - 2022 - "Sacred Arts of Navigation"]

Prolusion. US band Sunrunner have been a presence in the US music scene from 2008 and onward, and since they started to release material back in 2011 they have been quite the active band also on in terms of recording and releasing their material. "Sacred Arts of Navigation" is their most recent studio album, and was released in the spring of 2022 through German label Fastball Music.

Analysis. While this is a band marketed and categorized as belonging inside a progressive context, for my sake I'd say that the progressive aspect of the band is perhaps a bit more of a secondary nature, at least in terms of how most people define the genre. There are tie-ins though, as well as some close relations to bands that have been rather important in developing progressive metal in particular. Many of the core songs on this album strikes me as a blend between two specific bands and a couple of additional styles. Slower paced, doom-laden passages with distinct nods in the direction of Black Sabbath is one aspect of this band we encounter on a regular basis here, and then more often than not with a distinct hard bass guitar sound of the kind that for me will always come with associations in the direction of Steve Harris. And that is a nice transition over to another aspect of the core sound of Sunrunner, which is NWoBHM in general and a variety of the style with some very direct nods in the direction of Iron Maiden in particular. Fairly often the band will mix and blend elements from these two orientations rather freely, resulting in a strangely familiar but odd sounding display that often is rather charming. Besides that I do note some power metal and possible speed metal sequences finding their way into the songs on this album, and possibly with occasional references to early Helloween and bands of a similar nature. Sunrunner does have a few direct nods towards the progressive rock universe too of course. For starters we do have quite a few songs that switch back and forth in pace and intensity quite a lot, and we also have a token ballad-oriented affair that combines folk-rock and acoustic rock with a select few details pulled in from jazz. A blend that is progressive for sure. And then we have the concluding epic 'Navigating the Apocalypse' of course, twelve minutes and a bit that see the band play around a lot with acoustic rock and folk music inspirations and alternating those vibes with a liberal array of NWoBHM inspired sections including several that appears to be directly inspired by Iron Maiden or oriented in that specific direction. Otherwise I note that the album is perhaps a bit rough sounding, although it seems more like a planned sound and effect to my ears than anything else. In addition the band doesn't have a vocalist that use that typical Bruce Dickinson vocal style, which for me at least is a positive for a band that has so frequent nods in the direction of Iron Maiden.

Conclusion. While not a band that will be regarded as a purebred progressive rock band by most, at least if this album is to be sued for the case, Sunrunner's latest album explore an intriguing blend of metal pulling in details from Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden in particular, and will also expand their landscapes a bit to venture forth on a select few more directly progressive rock oriented escapades. A band and an album that progressive rock fans with a taste and an affection for Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden probably will find intriguing.

Progmessor: March 2022
The Rating Room